Lets work together
This issue of the Newsletter is a special one in the sense that it is based on the input and output of an international workshop organized by ILEIA. The articles report on experiences with networking by farmer groups, NGOs and researchers. Moreover, this Newsletter presents the proceedings of the workshop, which include general conclusions and recommendations.
Table of contents:
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3 - 4written by Eric Holt-GiménezOne of the grassroot organisations which appeared in Nicaragua during the Sandinista Revolution was the Movemiento Campesino a Campesino (Peasant to Peasant Movement). The movement is based on a grassroots method for technology generation and transfer which spans ecological zones by concentrating on small-scale, farmer-led experimentation. The method not only encourages farmer innovation, but also promotes broad-based technology transfer through peasant-to-peasant training and cultural exchange.
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5 - 6written by Cornelia Butler Flora , Ron KroeseWhile farmers and environmentalists often find themselves at odds, especially on public policy issues, most farmers personally identify with the notion of land stewardship. This refers to the responsibility of farmers and landowners to strive to leave the land in as good or better condition than when it was acquired. The Land Stewardship Project (LSP) builds on this commitment of farmers and supports them in improving their practices. Meetings and discussions encourage farmers to experiment, exchange knowledge and raise awareness with the public. Networking therefore plays a key role in the activities of LSP.
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7 - 7written by Montemayor, LeonardoIn trying to deal with the side effects of chemical agriculture and its institutions, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) tries to turn the tide through face-to-face contact between farmers, exchange of hands-on experiences and through a nation-wide effort to influence government policy. Small farmers should be supported to become responsible stewards of the soil again.
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8 - 9From the birth and growth of the Andean Council of Ecological Management (CAME), many lessons can be learnt. An adolescent crisis eventually strengthened the grown-up network.
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10 - 12written by Oswald Quintal , V. GandhimathiIn Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, South India a LEISA Network was founded in 1990. Its members are small and marginal farmers and NGOs searching for alternatives to the actual unsustainable land use practices. Networking for sustainable agriculture is challenging but to get started is not without difficulties and takes quite some time.
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13 - 13written by Kwesi Attah-KraAFNETA, the Alley Farming Network for Tropical Africa is a network of organisations and individuals in Africa, interested in research and development activities on alley farming and other sustainable agricultural systems. The network hopes to strengthen and expand research efforts in this field and to raise general awareness on the potentials of the alley farming concept within national institutes in Africa.
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14 - 14written by Ly TungSince 1981 ViSCA, the research centre of the University of the Philippines in East Visayas Region, has run a Farming Systems Research and Extension programme and put considerable effort in institutionalising this approach within the university. This has lead to the establishment of the Farm and Re-source Management Institute (FARMI) with the twofold task of implementing FSR/E programmes and further institutionalising this approach. From these experiences some important lessons can be drawn to ensure for a LEISA programme to be effective within universities.
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15 - 16written by Olivia GrahamDevelopment field staff can benefit tremendously from sharing their experiences and ideas. But network activities very often tend to reach only more senior staff of both GO and NGOs. Information very rarely gets to the workers at the grassroots and their voice is rarely heard. The Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) tries to facilitate networking at this grassroots level.
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17 - 31In March 1992, the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (/1RR), World Neighbors and ILEIA jointly organised a workshop on networking for Low-External-Input and Sustainable Agriculture (LEISA). Some 40 participants of 23 countries from a/1 continents trave/1ed to the Philippines to take part. The objective of the workshop was to make an inventory of existing experiences in net-working and to indicate ways as to how networking could further enhance LEISA. The outcome of five days of intensive team-work is reported here.
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33 - 33written by Chamindra WeerackodyIn Sri Lanka, an attempt was made to establish a network of grassroots non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and people's organisations (POs). But it collapsed. Why? How much may network members and their interests differ? Does successful exchange of information require a balance in power and interests?
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34 - 35written by Peter Kenmore , Shahid TalukderMany have argued that networks to promote LEISA should cut across traditional boundaries between governments and NGOs. The authors strongly support this view from their experiences in promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Asia and describe ways to establish linkages between government institutes and NGOs.
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36 - 36All around the world, the need for NGOs and government to work together is realised. In South America a conference was organised to take the first steps.
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37 - 38written by Wim HiemstraAnno 1992: What are the activities, experiences and dilemmas of ILEIA as an organisation intending to support organisations working towards LEISA? Given the emerging local, national and regional LEISA networks, what does this imply for the role and functioning of ILEIA?
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39 - 39written by Andres Yurjevic , Miguel A. AltieriThere is a clear need to integrate sustainable agriculture perspectives in the curricula and research agendas of universities worldwide. CLADES, a regional consortium of LEISA supporting organisations in Latin America, has come close to achieving this goal. This is a clear example of what a regional network, linking with a major donor, can do to support activities of national networks.
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40 - 40written by Ravadee PrasertcharoensukPromoting sustainable agriculture and influencing public opinion are specific activities where networking can play an important role. The Alternative Agriculture Network of Thailand put their strengths together to organise a fair where the public can learn about a more sustainable way of farming. A publicity campaign is started.
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41 - 41written by Tadeu CaldasIn stimulating sustainable farming practices, it is very important that a market for organic produce is developed. Not only need consumers be convinced of the advantages of buying produce derived from sustainable farming practices, they also want to be able to recognise these products. For that purpose, certificates and standards need to be developed. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is a network with marketing high on the agenda. This paper discusses some aspects of the complex matter of standards, certified producers and accreditation.
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